Wolff urges Red Bull to consider timing of DAS protest
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has urged Red Bull to be "sensitive" to the dangers of overshadowing Formula 1's season opener in Austria ahead of a potential protest against his team's DAS (Dual Axis Steering) System.
With Red Bull poised to seek clarification about the legality of the innovative Mercedes device, which could go as far as a formal protest, Wolff is mindful about the risk of F1's first race back getting bogged down on Sunday night.
Asked if he was worried that what should be a celebration of F1's comeback could turn sour, Wolff said: "All teams are pretty much aware that we are in a sensitive situation with going racing.
"It's the first race, and I think on one side, it's fair enough to seek clarification, [but] on the other side we are aware that we don't want to end up with a big debate on Sunday.
"I think Christian [Horner, Red Bull boss] is going to take the right actions. Controversy and different judgement on engineering innovation has always been a part of Formula 1, and this is what's to be be expected in a way and it's part of the risk."
Red Bull had indicated before the original season opener in Australia that it would protest the DAS system, which allows Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas to adjust the toe angle of their front wheels through pushing and pulling the steering wheel.
Horner said on Friday that questions his team had on the legality of the device had not been fully answered yet.
"It's a very clever system," he explained. "All credit to the ingenuity behind it, but I think the fundamental question for us is, you know, does it comply with the regulations in what is a fundamentally grey area?
"Obviously we do want clarity on it, because it does have an impact regarding the rest of this year. It's something that's been outlawed for next year. But the question is, is it right for this year? So these are the questions that we'll be asking of the FIA through the necessary channels."
Wolff added that Mercedes felt comfortable with the legality of DAS and was ready to fight its corner if there was a formal protest.
"I respect Christian's position," he said. "Clarification is always good. We think we are on the right side. There was a lot of talking and exchange with the FIA.
"That is the reason why we have it on the car, so we will both bring our arguments forward and then let's see."
Share Or Save This Story
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Max Verstappen responds to George Russell: "Maybe I should take him to the sauna!"
Why Mercedes' Bahrain GP upgrade is still a "big question mark"
As Mercedes looks to deal F1 2026 knockout blow, will its driver fight reignite?
Enea Bastianini: "I've been waiting a long time for this moment"
Marc Marquez sent body double to Motegi kart race: “We are not here to mess around or drive go karts"
F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia descends into chaos as car trouble prompts red flag
Kyle Larson debates purpose of stage points, call them "participation awards"
You Ask The Questions: Emerson Fittipaldi
The wide world of strategy options expected in F1's Bahrain GP in Malaysia
How drivers waiting in the wings can still make their presence count in F1
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments